Eating Recovery Center (ERC), a national leader in eating disorder treatment, is making significant strides in virtual care, aiming to expand its services into states where it currently has no physical presence. While many providers only began offering virtual programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, ERC had a head start, launching its virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP) three years ago. Initially, this service focused on college students who might otherwise have lacked access to care, but today, ERC delivers all IOP services virtually, alongside newly developed virtual partial hospitalization programming (PHP).
Virtual Care Pioneering Before the Pandemic
ERC’s early adoption of virtual care positioned the organization to respond quickly when the pandemic created barriers to in-person treatment. By leveraging its prior experience, ERC seamlessly transitioned hundreds of patients into virtual IOP, maintaining continuity of care during unprecedented times. This proactive approach has allowed the organization to refine its virtual offerings and now explore expansion into new states, providing access to eating disorder treatment in regions with limited options.
Expansion Goals and Partnership Opportunities
According to Anne Marie O’Melia, ERC’s chief medical and clinical officer, the organization’s next major initiative is to bring virtual IOP into states where it currently does not operate. ERC’s model relies on licensed dietitians, therapists, and other clinical staff working together to care for pods of six to eight patients. These virtual pods provide an innovative way to deliver evidence-based care while maintaining group cohesion and accountability, essential factors for treatment success.
The expansion creates opportunities for partnerships with behavioral health providers nationwide. By working with local clinicians and leveraging ERC’s virtual infrastructure, states without dedicated eating disorder services can now access high-quality care for patients who would otherwise face significant barriers.
ERC and Pathlight: A National Behavioral Health Network
ERC operates alongside Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center, formerly known as Insight Behavioral Health. Together, they form the only licensed national behavioral health system dedicated to treating eating disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. ERC has 30 physical locations across eight states, while Pathlight operates 16 locations across six states, specializing in conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, and mania. The partnership between these two organizations allows for a comprehensive approach to behavioral health treatment across multiple specialties.
Family Support as a Core Differentiator
One of ERC’s most notable differentiators is its focus on family involvement. The organization provides extensive family support through a family institute offering education, therapy, and resources to help loved ones support patients. ERC also offers concierge services, post-treatment resources, and structured family days that connect families with organizational leaders to ask questions and receive guidance. This emphasis on family engagement sets ERC apart in the field and enhances treatment outcomes.
Innovative and Evidence-Based Treatment
ERC prioritizes employing highly skilled psychotherapists and medical professionals. The organization’s treatment modalities are evidence-based and innovative, integrating medical interventions for complex patients with advanced psychiatric care and neuromodulation services. This multidisciplinary approach ensures patients receive comprehensive care that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of eating disorders.
Rebranding Pathlight for Clarity
The rebranding of Insight Behavioral Health to Pathlight was a strategic move to reduce confusion and better communicate the organization’s focus. “Pathlight describes our promise — to light the way for our patients,” O’Melia explained. The rebrand allows the organization to differentiate its services for non-eating disorder patients and reflect its commitment to guiding individuals through mood and anxiety treatment effectively.
Impact of COVID-19 on Treatment Demand
The pandemic has significantly increased demand for ERC’s services. Calls to the center and helplines, such as the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), have surged by approximately 75% compared to the previous year. ERC responded by rapidly expanding its virtual capabilities, converting over 400 IOP patients to online programs within a single week. The organization also implemented new safety and infection control measures for in-person care, including plexiglass barriers in cafeterias to maintain meal monitoring while supporting social interaction.
Success Factors for Virtual Programs
ERC’s success in virtual IOP hinges on several key factors. First, licensed and well-trained clinicians are essential for delivering effective care remotely. Second, group cohesiveness is critical. Virtual IOP patients are placed in therapy pods, fostering accountability and commitment among members. Scheduled introductions, therapy sessions, and virtual graduations help build a supportive online community, mirroring the benefits of in-person group therapy.
Developing Virtual PHP Programs
ERC has also developed virtual PHP programs to provide intensive care for patients unable to attend in-person sessions. These programs replicate the multidisciplinary structure of on-site PHP, including psychiatrists, therapists, dietitians, medical doctors, nurses, and case managers. While virtual PHP days are slightly shorter to reduce Zoom fatigue, they maintain the intensive, frequent programming crucial for effective treatment. Some patients, however, still require in-person care for higher levels of monitoring.
Insurance and Virtual Care
Insurance coverage has been an important consideration for ERC’s virtual expansion. While payers were initially slow to adapt, most have now supported virtual programs, enabling patients to continue treatment without interruption. ERC is committed to demonstrating the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of its virtual services to secure ongoing insurance support.
Future Plans for Virtual Expansion
ERC plans to implement virtual IOP in states where it has no physical centers, particularly in regions lacking eating disorder treatment options. These virtual pods, staffed by licensed local clinicians, can serve patients at risk of developing more severe conditions or those transitioning from higher levels of care. By collecting outcome data, ERC aims to prove the effectiveness of virtual programs compared to no treatment, positioning virtual care as a viable, permanent option post-pandemic.
Current Reach of Virtual Services
Currently, 100% of ERC’s IOP services are delivered virtually, accounting for roughly 15% of total revenue. Virtual PHP is offered in 17 states, representing 5% to 10% of PHP care. These programs have enabled ERC to reach patients who would otherwise lack access, demonstrating the potential of virtual behavioral health services to fill critical gaps in care.
Ongoing Growth and Innovation
Beyond eating disorders, ERC continues to expand Pathlight’s mood and anxiety services. Plans include increasing neuromodulation services, opening additional centers, and enhancing both residential and partial hospitalization programs. ERC’s goal is to replicate its state-of-the-art eating disorder treatment in the broader behavioral health space, providing innovative, evidence-based care to more patients nationwide.
Conclusion
Eating Recovery Center’s ambitious plans for virtual expansion reflect a commitment to making high-quality eating disorder treatment accessible to underserved regions. By leveraging licensed clinicians, evidence-based programs, and family support, ERC is setting a new standard for virtual care. The organization’s experience, combined with strategic partnerships and technological innovation, positions it to transform the landscape of eating disorder and behavioral health treatment across the United States.
ERC’s expansion into new states not only addresses gaps in care but also creates partnership opportunities for local behavioral health providers. With insurance support and continued outcome tracking, ERC aims to demonstrate that virtual IOP and PHP are effective, patient-centered solutions capable of reaching those in need and improving long-term health outcomes.
The organization’s dual focus on eating disorders and mood and anxiety disorders ensures a comprehensive approach to behavioral health, establishing ERC and Pathlight as leaders in delivering innovative, accessible, and high-quality treatment nationwide.
